Immigrant farmworkers across the United States are preparing for an anticipated wave of deportations under President Donald Trump's return to office, as he reiterates his hardline stance on immigration.
Advocacy groups report a sharp increase in demand for legal workshops and resources as workers brace for the potential impact on their lives and livelihoods.
Trump, set to assume office on January 20, has pledged sweeping deportation measures targeting undocumented individuals, which could severely disrupt the U.S. agricultural sector that relies heavily on immigrant labor.
Approximately half of hired farmworkers nationwide lack legal immigration status, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In California alone, 75% of the 400,000-strong farm labor workforce is undocumented, based on data from the University of California-Merced Community and Labor Center.
“It’s alarming for workers who take pride in their contribution to the nation’s food supply,” said Alfredo, a farmworker in Washington State who asked to remain anonymous. "It’s becoming very hard to look forward to going out to work."
Advocacy groups such as the Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO) and the Cornell Farmworker Program report a tenfold surge in attendance at workshops that prepare workers for encounters with immigration officials. These sessions include role-play scenarios and guidance on securing their children’s welfare in the event of detention or deportation.
“Workers are taking steps to protect their families, from assigning guardians for their U.S.-born children to ensuring financial arrangements are in place,” said Sarait Martinez, CBDIO’s executive director.
The potential deportation of undocumented farmworkers could cripple the agricultural industry. California, which produces a third of the nation’s vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts, relies heavily on immigrant labor for harvesting and processing.
Farm industry trade groups warn that such measures could lead to labour shortages, disrupt food production, and drive-up costs for consumers.
The Trump administration has pledged to prioritize the deportation of undocumented individuals deemed threats to public safety, but has not ruled out broader actions.
“President Trump will coordinate the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while strengthening the workforce,” said Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for Trump’s transition team.
However, farmworker advocates argue that rural workers are at greater risk due to limited access to legal resources. “Their isolation makes them particularly vulnerable,” said Patricia Ortiz, immigration legal director at California Rural Legal Assistance.
The potential separation of families is a primary concern. About 4.4 million U.S.-born children live with at least one undocumented parent, according to Pew Research Center. Martinez noted that many farmworkers her group assists speak indigenous languages such as Mixteco and Zapoteco, making access to immigration services even more challenging.
Advocacy groups are ramping up efforts to address workers’ concerns. In upstate New York, the Cornell Farmworker Program now holds daily immigration workshops.
“We’re working against the clock to prepare workers for what might come,” said Mary Jo Dudley, the program’s director.
As the inauguration approaches, farmworkers and their advocates continue to navigate uncertainty, calling for humane policies that balance national security with the contributions of immigrant labor to the U.S. economy.
